I have written a short list of things I have been up to since my last blog. I will split the details of what is in the list into TWO parts, as it is just all so exciting ...you will need an interval to make yourself a cup of tea and nibble on some (healthy) biscuits in between. Firstly, just note the most exciting thing in a long time, wait for it... we had sunshine!! (Proof above!)Part 1- We had sunshine in Cornwall!- Had my haircut - Went to the Fitpro convention in Loughborough and only vaguely got lost ...Part 2(Check out the next blog)- Went to Braunton in Devon on a training camp with the Trail Ferrets to do some trail running & I got my birthday wish when I wasn't there involving a funicular railway and a steep hill- Did my Annual distance in miles to Birthday years walk, starting from Tintagel. 21 miles ...well ok, a few more than that.

PART 1

My drastic haircut. Left just enough to fit in my rucksack when I run. Phew!

Did I mention we had sunshine?

I don’t really have much to say about my haircut, accept that my hair still fits nicely into the side of backpack when I run, and I can also still tuck it into my shorts when I do burpees, (otherwise I end up jumping on it and that isn’t fun) so that was a useful thing to share with you and a tip for anyone with that in between hair length that doesn't fit into anything.

Map of the University Campus, somewhere in there was the Fitpro Convention

The Fitpro convention was worth going to, although I did get lost around the University campus where it was held, as there were no signs and nearly missed my Interview for ‘Fitness Instructor of the Year Award’.By the way, Fitpro is an Association for Fitness Professionals with over 125 000 members in 82 countries. Fitness professionals can join it to stay up to date with current fitness trends and you can also get insured through them. That wasn't a plug by the way, as I am also a member of Reps (Register of Exercise Professionals).

To save myself further embarrassment of going into wrong buildings looking for the Interview room (which incidentally wasn't in a room with a swimming pool) I recruited the help of a Fitpro Team member who said he would take me straight to the building where the Interview was being held.

Just to point out, it had taken about six hours to drive up from Cornwall to Loughborough University and I had arrived with only minutes to spare before my interview before a panel of judges, which included a previous winner of ‘The Biggest Loser’, and I still hadn’t been to the toilet, so I was in an even bigger rush.

Freebie T-shirt at Registration

The poor Fitpro guy practically ran with me to get there, leaving behind the comfort of his little registration stand. He took a turning into the wrong building (turned out he worked in IT, so didn’t actually know where I was supposed to be and also wasn't used to running) came out of the building, found the right building, where upon he rushed in. He ran straight across to the other side of a long room, passed some people sitting down outside a big door, and proceeded through a door with a sign that I had yet had time to read, beckoning me to follow saying; 'it must be through here somewhere...'I meekly and hesitantly waited on the other side, whilst listening to him apologise for bursting in on another candidates interview. Good start. I think the sign read 'Interviews'.

The Interviews were running a little late, so I had time to meet another Finalist called Darren Tyrie who runs Bootcamps, and to explain to him what a buffoon I was getting lost and so on, and also time to go the loo. When I returned he was looking a little red. His wife, Nichola, was next to him, giggling. He had stood up to go the toilet and split his trousers just before his interview. Brilliant! A fellow Buffoon!

Douglas Brooks' workshop. Here is a demo of a woodchop using a resistance band

The rest of the day I spent attending a couple of workshops. I had intended on going to a lot more, but I couldn’t find them. I settled on a workshop with Douglas Brooks (an Exercise Physiologist lecturer and author). I came in late (surprise) along with two other guys who had got lost with me, as they had thought it was a good idea at the time to follow me (!)I joined up with the 2 guys and we tried out the exercises Douglas Brooks was demonstrating on a bosu.

Bosu and a weighted swiss ball, side plank

Hip raises on a bosu, hard side up with feet on a weighted swiss ball

Single leg dip on a bosu

My last taster workshop, I was in fact, not supposed to be in, but I was on time so that was a bonus. It was quite interesting and was run by Sean Greeley on how to make lots of money in Personal Training and developing a team. Although, it dawned on me that the idea was to actually, eventually pay him to find out fully how to make lots of money ..so I really want his job, so that I can make lots of money ...

Needless to say, I didn’t win but I did get a surprise extra acknowledgement at the Awards Ceremony that night, after they announced the winner. No, it was not to say how amazed they were that I had actually got this far as I couldn’t even find my way around a University. Well, actually in a way, yes, amazed that I had physically got this far after my accident and had inspired others along the way, so that was a proud moment. All I could stutter into the microphone was a thank you.